Roberts Communications wins 'Best of Show' at ADDY Awards

Roberts Communications Inc. was the bigger winner at Thursday night’s annual ADDY Awards, celebrating the top work in the local marketing and advertising industry.

Nearly 450 people attended this year’s event. The Rochester Advertising Federation served as host of the event at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Roberts Communications received the coveted “Best of Show” award for its work on the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.

More than 80 accolades were given out Thursday night, selected from a pool of more than 300 individual entries from local agencies and freelancers. Other top winners included Partners + Napier Inc., Rochester Institute of Technology, Martino Flynn LLC and digital agency StormFrog Inc.

“Rochester’s creative advertising community continues to raise its own bar, and this year’s body of work is no exception,” said T.C. Pellett, president of the RAF, in a statement. “The ADDY awards not only recognize the winners, but also honor the collective achievements of the entire industry here in Rochester.”

The night also featured 11 student ADDYs given to area college students, with $500 scholarships awarded to three RIT students and one Nazareth College student.

Industry veteran John Connelly was given the Silver Achievement Award, a lifetime achievement award for individuals who have had a lasting impact on the local advertising community. Connelly is a freelance senior copywriter who has worked with several local agencies such as Partners + Napier, Martino Flynn and Dixon Schwabl Inc.

“One of my greatest pleasures in working in the advertising field was mentoring many up-and-coming writers and art directors,” he said. “It is wonderful to see so many of those who worked with me now leading lights at their agencies and continuously producing stunning, award-winning creative work.”

Winners from the Rochester ADDY Awards will go on to compete in the regional ADDY competition, with a chance to compete nationally.